Student Environmental Audit Papers
Saint Mary's students are exploring more earth-friendly alternatives to the cleaning products, plastic bags, paper products and ink currently used by the College. These "green" projects are part of a growing involvement by students in campus efforts to reduce its environmental impact.
In previous courses, students have conducted campus audits and research projects on paper waste, native plants, grounds maintenance and solid food waste.
In 2004, students discovered research on the harmful effects of polystyrene products. They found that these products were used regularly by Sodexho, the College food service, so they met with Sodexho's Director Matt Carroll and presented him with some sugar cane-based alternatives. Sodexho has adopted these alternatives insofar as they can,and are looking for vendors who can fulfill the large orders required by the school.
Previous efforts resulted in the sale of fair trade coffee at the student union and sweat shop-free apparel at the book store.
Saint Mary's was invited to present these student projects at the American Association of Colleges and Universities Conference on "The Civic Engagement Imperative: Student Learning and the Common Good" in November, 2005.
To view the Power Point presentation click: PEDAGOGIES OF PLACE
To view past and current student reports,
click here.
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The Curriculum
In 2001, as a part of the growing interest in sustainability practices, faculty at Saint Mary's introduced a new
B.S. degree in Environmental Science and a new B.A. degree in Environmental Studies.
In addition, faculty have developed a number of new courses focusing on the environment, such as:
"Community Service"
"California Flora and Communities"
"Environment and Society"
"Nature Writing "
"Nature and the Sacred"
"Public Relations and Civic Engagement"
"Symbiotic Universe"
"Urban Environmental Issues"
"Natural Resource Economics"
"Environmental Politics"
"Environmental Law and Regulation"
"U.S. Environmental History"
"Latin American Environmental History"
"Scientific & Religious Perspectives on the Environment"
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The Environmental History of
Saint Mary's College
by Gretchen Lemke-Santangelo
Professor of Environmental History
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An Environmental Learning Community
A special learning community course, "Renewable Environment: Transforming Urban Neighborhoods (RETUrN)", links a Sociology course and a Chemistry course to engage students in the redevelopment of a nearby EPA Superfund site. Under the auspices of SENCER (Science Education ForNew Civic Engagements and Responsibilities) , this course has become a national model.
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Water Task Force Consultancy
The Water Task Force Consultancy (WTFC) of Saint Mary's College has been commissioned by the Contra Costa Economic Partnership to study and write a report on the economic impacts of a severe water shortage on businesses in the East Bay (Contra Costa and Alameda Counties). To learn more, go to the
WTFC WEBSITE
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Composting Program
A 2004 student proposal prompted the College Planning Committee to appoint a task force to study the feasibility of an Saint Mary's compost program.
They are working closely with a student to implement either an on- or off-site composting program.
To learn more, click here. 
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Center for the Study of Fiduciary Capitalism examines Corporate Environmental Strategies
Professors James Hawley and Andrew Williams, co-directors of the Center for the Study of Fiduciary Capitalism at Saint Mary's, have published a report on "The Universal Owner's Role in Sustainable Economic Development" in Corporate Environmental Strategy, Vol. 9, No. 3 (2002). Read the article.
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